EMDR Processing of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract

The understanding that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is precipitated by a viral infection advances the view that CFS/ME is a medical condition that requires medical interventions. The present case study advances the view that EMDR can process the negative memories related to the trigger situations that involve the fatigue and tiredness, the high level of interoceptive awareness, and to maladaptive thought patterns. These trigger situations are akin to the maintenance factors in the chronic pain literature that involve disability status, interoceptive awareness and maladaptive thought patterns.The subject improved on several indicators of physical and mental fatigue, as well as demonstrated by scores on the FAS (Fatigue Assessment Scale) and CIS-20 (Checklist of Individual Strengths). In conclusion, the results show that EMDR therapy can be an encouraging, non-invasive and relatively short strategy to the treatment of CFS;